Decorating

All-in-one bedroom is A-one

A platform bed looks snazzy in small spaces: Keep it crisp with bedsheets tucked in

The storage bed from West Elm is pretty and mod with plenty of drawer space for blankets, sweaters or shoes.

Photograph by: Hndout photo
, West Elm

Dear Sam,

Help! I just bought a new 650-square-foot condo that is quite spacious, but my bedroom is 8x9 feet. I have a closet for hanging my clothes and have installed a closet organizing system, but I have no room for anything else, including a dresser! I have a large floral upholstered headboard, which doesn't really fit the modern look of my new condo. I wish I measured the bedroom; I don't think I would have bought this condo. Given the dimensions of my space, is there anything that I can do?

Thanks,

Tiny Bedroom

Dear Tiny Bedroom,

This is on of many letters that I've received about small condo bedrooms. I'm happy to hear that you have 8x9 feet in the bedroom because another reader had to downsize from a queen (60 x 80 inches) to a double bed (53 x 80 inches). Gulp. I remember learning in design school that model suites will often use a bed that has the right width but shorter length than a queen-sized bed. I don't know if that's true, but you do make an excellent suggestion: Prospective condo buyers should carry tape measures when on the real estate market. Yes, the listing will give you the dimensions, but it's good for you to have those dimensions right down to the quarter inch in your phone or pocket book while you're shopping.

Regarding storage, I've definitely seen some great solutions. While on a photo shoot, I once saw a bed with a hydraulic lifting system. The box spring was hollow and used for storage. This particular homeowner had a to-die-for shoe collection that was neatly arranged under her bed. Anyone who follows Feng Shui will not want to keep her heels under the bed because sleeping atop your shoes is believed to keep you running around all night. Personally, I feel strange sleeping on top of my shoes, but for some reason not my sweaters. This stylish homeowner needed storage and was completely cool with it. If you're interested in this type of bed, check out the storage bed with raisable flats, $1,975, from Bo Concept (boconcept.ca).

West Elm (westelm.com) also has a storage bed and headboard, which are sold separately from the night stands (see photo), so you can customize your bed according to the size of your room. The drawers are the perfect size for storing extra pillows and blankets or sweaters, depending on what you need to access most often. Because your new home is modern, take inspiration from the West Elm stylists who've made this bed with Asian flair. A platform bed looks best when you can channel your inner nurse. Hospital corners folded with precision will play up the spare and clean feeling of your condo, while the small floral print and mix of yellow and striped pillows with layers of sheets and blankets will give your bed the same soft pretty feeling that your upholstered headboard gave you.

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